Shoe lengthener and stretcher



Patented Feb. I 4, 1930 HARRY HOB-DES, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW--.'I'I*JRSIEY SHOE LELTGTHENER AND s'rRn'roHER Application filedJanuary, 16, 1928. Serial ,No. 247,249.

This inventio appertainsto aJnovel device for/lengthening and stretchinga .sho'e' 'bjy'the use of a singlezmanipulating handle which is arrangedexteriorly of theLshoe. I

One of theprimary objects of the invention is toprovide an improvedshoestretcher and lengthener embodying relatively adjustable heeland'toe portions with means for adjustingtheheel and toe portions by theuse of a single turning screw, the handle portion of whichis arrangedexteriorly of the shoe.

Another important'object of the invention I is the provision of a singlescrew extending through the heel portion of a lengthener andstretcherand adjustably connected therewith having a bearing'engagementwith the fore part or toe section ofthestretcherand lengthener whereby,upon adjustment of the screw, the sections can be moved relative to oneanother to bring about the stretching and lengthening operation. v

j A further object of the invention vis the provision of novel means forconnecting the adjusting screw with the fore part or toe sec tion of theshoe lengthener or stretcher whereby proper adjustment of the lengthenerand stretcher will be had without undue strain upon the various parts.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel shoelengthener and stretcher which will efiectively stretch the tip of ashoe as the shoe is being lengthened,

the entire stretcher and lengthener being adapted to be made in varioussizes and styles to accord to the shoes being operated on.

A'still further object of the invention is to y, provide an improvedshoe stretcher and lengthener of the above character, which will bedurable and eflic'ientin use. one which will.

besimple and easy to manufacture, andone which can be reasonable cost.

With these and other'objects in view, the

p invention consists in the novel construction, 45

arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter morespecifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the improved invention,

placed upon the market at a i Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same,

I Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the stretcher andlengthener taken onthe line '33 or Figure 1 looking inthe direction ofthe .arrows, I

' Figure 4c is a fragmentary horizontal section through the stretchertaken on the line 44 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows,

F igure-5 is a transverse section'through the stretcher and lengthenertaken on the line 55 of Figure 2 looking inthe direction of the arrows.1

' Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,the letter A generally indicates the improved shoe stretcher andlengthener wliichcomprises a body which is divided transversely toprovide a fore part of toe section 11 and a rear part or heel section12. These sections are so arranged that the same can-be adjustedrelative to one another and adjusting means, which is indicated broadlyby the reference character 25, forms one of the salient features of theinventionQ The "body 10 is'p're ferably' constructed from hard wood andis carved or otherwise formed to conform tothe shape of a particularshoe or foot of a person and the body can be made in different sizes andshapes if preferred.

1 The fore part or toe sectionl l is preferlablybut not necessarilyconstructed from longitudinal sections 13 and 14 which are connectedtogether rigidly by the use of suitable pins, screws, or the-like15."The inner'faces -of the longitudinal sections 13 and 14 are providedwith recesses at their rear ends which-definea pocket 16 in the rearpart of the toe portion 11 ofthe body. i

The'rear'part or heel section 12 can also be formed of-longitudinalsections 17 and 18 which can also be rigidly connected together by theuse of suitable pins or screws 18. This rear part is provided" with alongitudinal bore 1Q whichis-enlarged at its forward end as at 20andacro ss transverse bore 21.

The-noveladjusting means comprises a longitudinally extended shank, 26having a screw thread 27 extending for a portion of its tsp Theengagement of the forward end of the shank 2'0 with the toe section orfore part 11 forms one of the salient features of theinvention and ablock 31 is utilized which is fitted or otherwise arranged in the recess16. Suitable holding screws 32 can be utilized for engaging the block tohold the same in position. The forward end of the shank extends throughthe block 31 and has its end pointed to provide a hearing, which engagesa conical thrust bearing 33 formed in saidblock. As shown, aslot 34 isformed in said block and a suitable washer and pin 35 and 36 is carriedby the shank and engages the rear wall of said opening and thus holdsthe shank against rearward movement relative to the block, while thethrust bearing prevents forward movement of, the shank relative to theblock. However, free turning movement of the shank is permitted.

It is to'be noted that, upon turning movement of the shank in onedirection, that the shank will be fed forwardly through the nut 29 which.will consequently move the fore part r 11 forwardly and the rear partor heel porsaid boreintermediate the ends thereof, an adjustingscrewextending entirely through the plane as the recess, a sleeve nutimbedded in bore and threaded in said sleeve nut and-ex tending.outwardly'froin said bore at the rear end of said heel section, amanipulating handle on the rear end of said screw, a. thrust blockfitted'within said recesshaving a conithe block being provided with'arecess, means carried by the screwand arranged in said recess forengaging the block toprevent rear ward movement of'the screw relative tothe block, and guide pins carried by the heel portion for slidablyengagingthe toe.

, In testimony whereof-I aflixmy signature.

HARRY HORDES.

tion 12 rearwardly. When the shank is turned in the opposite directionthe shank will be fed rearwardly and the toe and heel section will bebrought together. i

If preferred, a stop sleeve 37 can be riveted I i or otherwise securedto the shank 26 for engaging the sleeve nut 29 so as to limit theforward movement of the shank relative to the heel portion. 7

I also prefer to provide a guide means between the toe portion 11 andthe heel portion 12 so as to eliminate strain on the adjusting meansandto also hold the toe and heel sections in properposition. This guidemeans comprises spaced, longitudinally extending 'pins 38 which areanchored or otherwise se- 19. The toe section or forepart 11 isprovidedwith spaced longitudinally extending bores 39 which receive theguide pins and these pins are freelyguidablein said-bores.v

' From the foregoingdescription, it can be seen that I have provided anovel shoe lengthener and stretcher whichwilljeffectively stretchashoewithout injury thereto and with Y a minimum amount of exertion on thepart of the operator of-the' device. 3

Changes indetails may be made without 'cal thrust bearing, means rigidlysecuring the lolock in said. recess against movement, the forward end ofthe screw being tapered and rotatablymounted in said block and havingits tapered end mounted in the thrust bearing,

